In perhaps the most contentious race this election, John M. Rinaldi will regain his seat on the Canton City school board.

According to unofficial election results Tuesday, Rinaldi won 52 percent of the vote over Eric Resnick, who garnered nearly 48 percent.

Rinaldi said the night was bittersweet for him as his father, John Rinaldi Sr., died during the weekend.

"He would have been very proud," Rinaldi said.

Rinaldi, who served as an at-large board member from 2003 to 2008, said it's time for the community — and the board — to come together for the betterment of the city's children.

"As leaders, we must lead by example and show them that despite our differences, we can work together for their brighter tomorrow," he said.

Rinaldi succeeds Nadine McIllwain who did not seek re-election.

OTHER SCHOOL BOARD RACES

In North Canton, incumbent Chris Thomas lost the seat he's held since 2010. Voters elected Julie Mathie-Cross, and accountant-bookkeeper for Mathie Supply and a classified substitute, and Bruce R. Hunt, division vice president of sales and marketing for Sonoco Products, along with longtime board member Nancy E. Marion to the board.

In the Alliance City School District where no incumbents sought re-election, voters chose three educators as their new board members. Elected were retired school principal John Gasparik (29 percent); John L. Frazier (25 percent), vice president of student affairs and dean of students at University of Mount Union; and retired Marlington teacher William L. Koch (24 percent).

Results on which candidate claimed the second school board seat for the Sandy Valley Local School District were unavailable Tuesday night. Election officials in both Stark and Tuscarawas counties must review each of the 330 votes that were cast for write-in candidates, Frederick Pisani and Isaiah Winters. Incumbent Dennis Corsi received 904 votes, unofficial results show.